Artefact

A 3- piece head ornament comprised of a central bejeweled cap and two long side pieces:

20th century

Object Name: Head ornament

Period: 20th century

Date: 1900-1999

Provenance: Doha

Dimensions: 67cmx19cmx14cm

Medium: textile,gold,gemstone,glass,pearl

Registration Number: QNM.2011.653.1-.2AB

Place Of Discovery/Findspot: Qatar

This ornament is called tasta al-sa'd or lauh al-sa'd (meaning cap or bonnet of joy) because it is an important piece in a bridal collection, presented to the bride the morning after her wedding night. In the past on ornament shaped like a crescent hung on the forehead as a good luck charm, hence the name ) a tasah is a skull-cap that is sometimes decorated with crescents or layers of gold coins).
given to the bride for her wedding to symbolise good luck and a prosperous married life. Head ornament made of one cap, which rests on top of the head, with two chains attached on the side. The chains are made of nine crescents and nine stars, representing the Islamic faith, terminating in a half moon with short chains. The chains hung over the bride’s plaits, which were intertwined with mint and jasmine flowers. The cap was held in place with a hook at the back, and a half moon rested on the forehead.

It is a wedding day or dowry piece of jewellery. The bride would wear it either at her wedding party or on the wedding day. Usually given by the groom as part of the dowry. The bridal jewellery used to be sent to the bride at least two weeks before marriage and this was part of the wedding celebration. The dowry had to consist of at least a head ornament, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. This is a very fine piece and would have been very expensive. This was given to the bride by the groom on the wedding day, who places it on her head, kisses her forehead and says that she will be good luck for himself and his family and for herself.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT QATAR

The Qatar Peninsula is surrounded by sea except in the south where it connects with its neighbours from the Arabian Peninsula. For hundreds of years people have shared the land, resources and knowledge inherited from their environment. With no fixed lifestyle in terms of time and place, people moved easily and freely between land and sea for trade, livestock, pearl diving, fishing, and hunting at various times throughout the year. This symbiotic relationship between the people and their environment was represented in the unity of their societies, including the exchange of knowledge, stories and the trading of available goods.

A distinctive characteristic of life on the Qatar Peninsula has long been the close association between the coast and the desert – al barr. Some desert tribes spent several months of the year in coastal cities, setting up semi-permanent residences to participate in pearl diving or fishing. Similarly, coastal residents occasionally moved to al barr during the winter to graze their livestock. This exchange of natural resources and the influence of different environments has contributed to the creation of a unique community.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT - REGION/GULF/WORLD

The presence of British, French and Dutch trading companies in the Gulf from the early 1600s brought uncertainty to the region, with unstable alliances and intense competition over trade routes. As trade flourished, however, the strength of the Arab tribes increased. Many Arab tribes moved from the interior of the Arabian Peninsula to Qatar, and by the 18th and 19th centuries, most of the major towns of the Gulf were founded. Several towns flourished on the Qatari coast, including Huwailah, Khor Hassan, Fuwairat, Ruwaida, Freiha, Al Bidda and Doha. The most notable was Al Zubara which became a hub for the Gulf pearl trade.

PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH

Ismael, Najla. gold and pearls in qatari jewelleries [NMoQ Report]

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Qatar

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Gallery 7